Palestinians and Israelis have been fighting during the last month over disagreements related to the roadmap for the Gaza Strip. We asked members of the Times-Union/Jacksonville.com Email Interactive Group what they think needs to be done for sustained peace in the Middle East and what input should the U.S. have, if any. Here is a representative sampling of the responses:

Before two parties can negotiate anything, they must first recognize the legitimate existence of the other. Witness the Irish/English, nationalist/religious differences that caused so many deaths until recognition allowed negotiation. When both sides in the Israel/Hamas war recognize the legitimacy of the other, then and only then, will they be able to negotiate. No one can negotiate with someone who says, “Only your complete destruction and death will satisfy me.”

Evans C. Reitman-Swiss, Southside

Hamas, and the entire Islam community, are the aggressors. Israel is the attacked. The singular way for Hamas to stop sending 40-100 missles daily targeted at women and children in Israel is to kill all Israelies and destroy Israel. For Hamas terrorists, there is no plan of mutual existance — none. The U.S. sent $95 million in “humanitarian aid” funds to Gaza recently. The last time (under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) these funds were sent, Hamas purchased several hundred missles. Instead of U.S. taxpayer funds, why not send U.S. medical supplies and other items produced in the U.S. instead of taxpayer dollars to buy missles and kill more innocent women and children in Israel?

Don Spencer, Mandarin

This one’s a no-brainer, and it’s what the U.S. should demand (for all the good it will do): root out Hamas, destroy all the tunnels, force Egypt to open its border to Gaza (if even its Muslim brothers want nothing to do with Gazans and their “leaders” ... what does that tell you?), and DISARM the entire strip. Gazans, sadly, won’t agree to such terms because they apparently prefer to remain victims of their own mistakes. This conflict is NOT Israel’s doing, and Israel can never resolve it without Palestinian cooperation. When even the head of Hamas admits he and his organization will never even recognize Israel’s right to exist, don’t hold your breath. In the interim, at the very least, ALL U.S. aid to Palestinian groups should cease immediately and completely. People who think killing their neighbors is sport don’t deserve support from Americans or anyone else. Clichés arise because they’re fundamentally true, and a frequent comment on the Palestinian mindset is a perfect example: there will never be peace in the Middle East until Arabs of all persuasions love their children more than they hate Israel.

Diane Tabbott, Jacksonville

There is NO glib answer, because the inhabitants of the various territories can’t agree on a solution, even when their own leaders propose them. There are Jews, Christians and Muslims living in close proximity and they each want their own territory to be comprised of only “their own kind.” That is NEVER going to happen. The REAL solution is providing an enlightened education for every child there, but that’s not going to happen either, because the parents are so intractably ingrained with their own unassailable belief systems.

Pat Crandall, Jacksonville

There will never be peace until somebody wins and somebody loses convincingly and totally. We beat Japan; they surrendered. We beat Germany; they surrendered. Hamas and the other terrorist groups have not surrendered. Simply put, we must defeat them. The PLO must retake and control Gaza, throwing out Hamas and their terror and tactics that are killing thousands of innocent citizens, all so Hamas can pursue their perverted goals.

George Richardson, Jacksonville

I believe that the U.S. should play more of a neutral role in the Middle East and provide more humanitarian aid. The role of the U.S. in helping to broker peace will be critical if it facilitates direct talks between Palestinians and Israel and is supported through the concerted efforts of other nations. ... I remain hopeful that our leaders can get everyone to the table and negotiate terms for lasting peace.

Jeff Smith, Southside

I’m one of those old-fashioned fuddy duddy guys who believes we should live and let live and stand by our friends when they are being harmed or attacked. I love and appreciate my neighbors but if they give me reason to doubt their appreciation for me or my family by let’s say — firing a gun into my house or lobbing a grenade into my yard. Now for me, it only takes one grenade or one gunshot for me to know that something has to be done immediately and I expect my friends and other neighbors to help (once they know the facts). ... So what should America do regarding Israel? We should have the courage and to display our might and stand with our friends of 50-60 years and provide the support both verbally and financially they need and deserve as one of our staunchest Allies! They wish to LIVE in peace. Why shouldn’t we honor and protect our friends’ wish?

Cliff Leonard, Avondale

Every successful Israeli attack on Hamas kills someone’s son or brother or father. And many Israeli attacks kill innocent people, including children. If there could be any strategy more likely to encourage Hamas’s recruitment efforts, I don’t know what it would be. It takes two to make war. It only takes one to stop. ...

Gregory A. Morgan, former resident of Murray Hill

I really don’t see any solution that would result in a lasting peace in the Middle East until the world is rid of the radical Islamist terrorists. Their vision of Islam makes them believe that they must form a worldwide Caliphate, giving anyone who is not Muslim the untenable choice of either converting to Islam, or be killed.

Elizabeth Temin, Jacksonville

Peace is generational. It will take 20 years of peaceful propaganda to create a generation of Arabs who will renounce aggression toward the Jewish people in the region. It will take another 20 years to embed the following generation to accept and embrace it. t can be done, but it will take salesmanship and diligence.

David Wayne Edwards, Mandarin

The United States needs a president that will stand up and support Israel, which is the only Middle Eastern country that supports democracy and the rule of law. We also need to cut funding to every country that harbors extremist Muslim radicals who have stated many times their hatred for America. With no funding, these countries cannot use our gifts to plot against us and our best allies. ... A strong U.S. military presence in the countries of our allies will also help prevent actions against our allies and threats against the U.S. Finally, increased oil exploration in our country and offshore waters will reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil, which will improve our nation’s standing in the world.

Charles E. “Eddie” Brown, San Jose

I am usually an optimist when it comes to finding ways to peace, but the Middle East is a different animal. Usually, at the end of the day, people WANT peace, but there are factions in play there who appear to want only war, who have no interest in anything except annihilating anyone who is not part of their religion or politics. The history of the conflicts is so long and convoluted that there is no way for the U.S., or any other outside agency, to attempt to mediate without becoming embroiled themselves. The one thing that is apparent is that there is no “one” answer because there are so many intertwined elements to the problem, and if the U.S. took a stand on an issue, or supported a particular group, we would be seen as an enemy by the other players. One thing is certain though; any strategy of large troop deployment is a death wish.

Dave Southern, St. Marys, Ga.

I know the USA thinks we have to try and solve everyone’s problems, but the fighting in that area has been going on for hundreds of years. With the sophisticated news reporting, we now see it up close and in your face, so to speak. I don’t understand what they are fighting for and wonder am I the only one. No, I do not think we need to get involved. We have so much that needs fixing in our own country, how about starting here first.

Ruth Saunders, Mandarin

Unless Hamas can agree to a supervised destruction of the tunnels as well as the search of every ship, boat, plane, truck and car that crosses Gaza’s border, there will be no sustained peace. Hamas will agree to a peace settlement that will last for a couple of years until they have rearmed with rockets; then they will commit another act like the deaths of the three Israeli youth that will lead to escalating violence. The people of Gaza need to remove Hamas from power because they have squandered all of the $5 billion in capital aid that they have received due to Hamas spending the funds on weapons toward their goal of eliminating Israel. There is plenty of unpopulated land around Gaza that Israel could be opened for agricultural uses if there was no danger of terrorists crossing the border. The Gaza is the perfect location to use gray water for agriculture, thus conserving a precious resources. But, none of this can occur with Hamas in power. The Palestinians must decide their own fate.

Bruce A Fouraker, Mandarin

The institution of a sustained peace in the Middle East will require an acceptance by each party of the right of the other to exist. If one side wants to wipe another side off the face of the Earth, I see little possibility of a peaceful settlement. ... The U.S. being an external observer can offer to assist in negotiating a settlement. The precursor to this negotiation should be assurance from both sides of the rights of each side to exist. If that cannot be obtained, then don’t get involved. It also seems to me that we need to call it the way it is. If it is a war, call it a war. If it is terrorism call it that. We seem to be afraid of labeling things for what they really are.

John Tomka, Southside

Although I fully support Israel’s right to defend itself, this latest massacre has gone too far. I just can’t believe that they need to continue bombing an imprisoned population, including UN schools and hospitals, to protect themselves. They should focus on destroying the tunnels and setting up shelters for refuges from the violence. They should strive to eventually end the blockade and cease building new Israeli settlements. ... Maybe peace will only come to that area, when we cease our unconditional support of Netanyahu.

Ethel Lee Smith, Green Cove Springs

We should have some input. The $270 million for Israel to buy missiles will help, but we need to keep helping them vs. the Hamas aka PLO and the way that they want to destroy Israel and any infidels if we keep letting them get away with it. ... Remember Nancy Pelosi thinks Hamas is a humanitarian group????

Dotti Cahill, Fleming Island

I think the U.S. should support Israel to the fullest extent possible; i.e., weapons, rations, combat gear, etc. Israel is the only ally and Democratic country in the region. The U.S. should not support any ceasefire proposed by Hamas because it is full of empty promises. Israel should continue to fire upon Gaza without restraint and with all the intensity it has.

Lee LeFort, Arlington

... The Middle East cannot be solved in isolation. Tired of boots on the ground? Fighting? And paying for it all? The vast majority who complain never wore boots, never wore uniforms, never fought and, frankly, don’t really know anyone who has. We must organize and lead the nations of the world, especially the Middle East, in a relentless assault against those who would destroy Israel and other peaceful countries of the Middle East. While our secretary of state bounces around the Middle East like the ball in a pinball machine, Christians and other minorities are being methodically tortured and slaughtered. It is not the responsibility of the U.S.? Aren’t we lucky France didn’t feel that way 200 and some years ago! My prediction? There will be NO middle east peace in our time.

James B. Vanairsdale, St. Augustine

There will never be peace. Generation of children have been taught via books and family that all infidels must be killed. I have never read the Koran, but I seriously doubt it reads to do what ISIS and HAMAS is doing.